How this helps the SAA:

To ensure the best match is made between animal and adopter, and to check that every animal is going to a home which is safe and suitable for them, the SAA conducts home checks on all potential adopters.

What is involved?

Liaising with the animal care staff, you will book and carry out home-checks on potential adopters of cats/rabbits/dogs. This will involve travelling to the adopter’s home, explaining adoption procedures to them, answering their questions and providing them with animal care advice, and advising the adopter on whether their home check has passed or failed. You will then report back to the animal care staff, ensuring records are updated.

Dependent upon experience, we are looking for volunteers for specific animals; i.e. only carrying out home checks for rabbits, not all species.

How will we support you?

Your contact will be the SAA animal care staff, who will provide you with day-to-day support, information, guidance and direction. You will be given an induction into the charity, to explain our work and purpose. You will shadow an animal care staff member or experienced volunteer several times before being asked to conduct your own home checks.

What you can gain from volunteering with the SAA:

New experiences and knowledge

Meeting and working with new people

Developing existing skills or gaining new ones

The experience of using your skills and abilities to help the SAA’s animals.